Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-01-08
on THE FRozKN TRAcK.

New Haven Toboggan CIub-The ON.
cial opening of the Slide-NIany Hun
dreds of Well K0OHn People Enjoy
the SpOrt-The IncursfOm of the Ho-
boggan and Its COst-GlOriOus Sport.
s'Opened and sure to be a success" said
the president of the new toboggan c1ub-Jos
eph T. Whittelsey-last night, as he helped
to shove off a toboggan from the top of the
incline. He was dressed in the latest tobog-
gan style and wore worsted cap on his
head. His assistants in the rather tiresome
and muscular work were William P. Trow-
bridge, jr., and Mr.. Chapman, all expert
enced tobogganists. One of the above named
was attired in worsted cap, moccasins and
all that goes to make up this Indian-like to-
boggan costume. Hundreds and hundreds
of gay people took slide last night on the
clubs slide, which was formally opened
yesterday for the first time. Nobody
ever took one trip down hill on a
toboggan without wanting to take another,
and keep on doing it. And this fact was
self-evident to President Whittelsey last
night, as, according to actual count, he said
| ego" 2, $50 times. The first slide "breaks
the ice," metaphorically speaking. 1t is the
common experience. One at FIRST hesitates,
then waivers and the next thing is going
down the grade as if shot out of gun, so
swift is the descent. t'Facilis est deseensus
Averni" The speed attained on the steep
incline is something startling to beginner,
and the first time one tries it he thinks he is
'sgoing to kingdom come" shuts his
eyes, grips the hand rails, breathes a
brief prayer, hears President Whittelsey
utter the word ego" and he finds
himself gliding swiftly, to be sure, but COM
fortably down the chute to the level
Oh ri fao1-
ing like the renowned "Oliver," desire for
more.
There were many different kinds of tobog-
| CANS in use last night. The experts tobog-
gan was shod with steel strips, fastened on
ingeniously without screws or rivets and not
lessening the flexibility in the least. On this
machine the tremendous speed of three miles
a minute has been made. The steel-shod to-
boggan is twenty five per cent. faster than
the wood-shod one, but the latter IS enough
to make your hair curl.
'sThe roller skating craze of two years ago
is nothing to the toboggan craze" said
member of the club last night. But it has
the advantage over the skate craze in being
one of the most healthful and exhilarating
sports imaginable. The sport entices people
out of doors, fille their lungs with fresh air
and sends their blood rushing through their
veins. It makes boys out of old men. the
sport is bound to remain popular. Il is
favored by all except the doctors. There is
no danger at all and the slide is and will be
six foot toboggan only weighs
fourteen pounds and many carry them up
the incline. It does well man good to
drag or carry it up. ''There is more fun
and genuine exhilarating excitement in slid
ing down the New Haven Toboggan clubs
chute said participant last night, ethan l
have ever experienced in a variety of pleas
ures." Only one chute was open last night,
but chute No. 2 will be ready to-day, when
it is expected that both will be in constant
use Business men and men of nearly all
professions find it a real boon to get away
from work, breathe fresh air and take
slide. The expense of the sport is mob great.
You can get a frst-class toboggan
for from So to $40. If you join the club you
can get frst-class toboggan suit for from
$12 to $15. The suit comprises a blanket
coat of gorgeous hue, a pair of matted
corded knee breaches, stockings, moecasins,
sash and toque, and you can for the abo
named price get yourself up like regular
"Kanuck" and look stunning" ooh, what
glorious sport" said scores of pretty rosy
checked young ladies last night, land what
fun climbing up those double-stepped slip
perry old stairs"
Among the list of tobogganers was
Mayor Lewis, who entered into the sport
with the fearlessness and zest of O youth.
He remarked that it would be pretty 'Ecold
wave" when he could not keep warm tobog
gaming The fact is that one actually warns
up although in the face of a north wind
scooting through the air like meteor.